steve_g

I'm looking to spend around £19,000 on a Scooby.

I've seen a number of MY02 STi PPP's and a couple of MY03 STi's with similar mileage to each other for around the kind of money I have.

I prefer the look of the MY03 but I do still like the look of the MY02.

Is there a big difference with the PPP or will I be just as happy with the standard STi??

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

hugo

Buy the MY03 STi, it doesnt have bug eyes (not a feature that will enhance your investment). Then, when you have saved your pennies get it PPP'd. I've just traded my MY03 WRX with PPP for a MY53 STi with PPP. Its a different car and should have done this in the first place.

steve_g

Anyone else got any opinions?

lightning101

Buy the MY03 STi, it doesnt have bug eyes (not a feature that will enhance your investment). Then, when you have saved your pennies get it PPP'd. I've just traded my MY03 WRX with PPP for a MY53 STi with PPP. Its a different car and should have done this in the first place.

Same opinion as above - but hten so will nearly everyone that wants to buy it second hand / trade.

ozzy

Is the PPP apiggy-back chip in the MY02 or does it use the Flash 2000 software (ala EcuTek) to remap the original ECU same as the later MY03/04 models?

Personally, I never liked the bugeyes and would take the MY03 car.

Stefan

steve_g

Is the performance difference very noticeable?

Would I be disappointed with the MY03?

speedking

... the £1500 you save by not having to get the PPP will get you some pretty fancy headlights for the MY02.

russell hayward

Not worth having an STI without PPP in my opinion.

If you try both variants you will see why.

PC555

the performance difference between a MY03 and a MY03 with PPP is considerable .... turbo spool up is lower down the range and therefore less laggy. Pulls the much stronger in all the gears.

I was personally a bit dissapointed in the std MY03 STI .... hence 3 weeks after taking delivery I had PPP fitted!

ProdriveSTI

STI02 is rarer only 750 were brought into this country - STI03 is more common - You pays your money etc....

ARM-Scooby

If your not planning to spend any more cash then get the 02PPP. If not go for the 03 sti and then add the PPP in the future.

Think it depends on what you are currently used to as well. If you have a classic STi or similar you probably wont be impressed with a std. sti, but if your coming from something else (something slower) then the Sti will probably be enough, learn how to drive it and then get the PPP.

The newer of the two would still have a longer warranty if that interests you.

marklemac

I've got the MY02 STi PPP. could have had the 03, but preferred the 02 look.

Plus they only made 100 Black STi Type UK's.

At the end of the day, both are great cars. Guess it comes down to pure looks in your opinion, and whether you want the extra power.

Believe me, you will. Without the PPP, the car feels like it is holding back.

If the 02 model has the piggy back PPP, then once you have bought it, you can call your local dealer and complain about 'lack of boost' and they will send the ECU back to Prodrive and it will be swapped out for a ECUTEK'd version which is much better.

steve_g

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I'm going to test drive an MY03 on saturday.

I have also been offered an MY02 with PPP and 18" OZ Titanium alloys, 25,000 miles on the clock for £19,300

Is this a good deal?

harrymonk

I just love it cant say no more.
Paul

Wuss

Steve,

Put it this way, I would buy the MY03 STi off you, but I wouldn't touch the MY02 STi. You have to consider that the MY03 STi will be a much better investment. In the long run you willl save more money and that will pay for the PPP !!

Just my humble opinion though!!

Mark.

steve_g

Thanks Mark

I'm more tempted by the MY03 now.

Fidd

'03, then sell some stuff on e-bay, do some overtime, or whatever, to get PPP !!!!

I like bugeye's, but as others have said, got to say the 03 must be a safer bet.

russell hayward

Surely if the MY03 costs more then you will probably lose more.

jasey

Mis read the title - go for the PPP 02 if looks don't bother you !

BMWhere?

What do you drive now?
If its nothing sooo fast, then you won't miss the performance on the 03STi. Without PPP both cars are phenominally quick compared to most things on the road!

I would personally go for the 03STi and save up to get the PPP fitted at a later date. If you buy the 02, then you'll always be wishing you had the looks of the 03.

steve_g

I currently drive a '53 plate Civic Type-R.

I've always fancied a Scooby so I'm buying one.

BMWhere?

In that case, the standard 03 STi should be enough to start with while you get used to the handling. Add PPP when you've got the extra cash! IMHO! Either way though, you'll get a fantastic car

Melina

Buy the STi 03 if you want to attract birds. It is much prettier than the 02.

ARM-Scooby

pmsl

jasey

When you test drive the 03 you will buy it .

I've got Std 03 STi and am getting PPP fitted when I want a change of car - that way I'm doubling the time I own each scoob (and hopefully not noticing the depreciation as much)

scooby L

buy the MY03 STI mate, and get the PPP later, but remember there are lots of other ecu upgrades out there... TSL, Ecutek etc which will be cheaper and give more power for the £'s... but remember any warranty will be void (unless the upgrade is invisible).

PS. Check the MY03 is a UK car, if it isn't, then non PPP is a very good alternative.

YorkshireSimon

I think that coming from a Civic Type R to a non PPP'd STI, you will be very dissappointed with the performance, IMHO. I have driven both, standard STI would have to be driven to the point of clutch destruction, just to stay with it from a standing start... No kidding!!

Agree with Russell as well! Surely you will loose more money on the MY03 that costs more, simply has more to depreciate. The people who have lost out in a big way are people like me and Russell who bought the MY02 STI, IMO it's done all it's crazy depreciation now, and it ain't going to shed loads of value over the next 2 years or so.

Also remember that the Impreza 3 design will be facelifted in the next 2 years also, which will no doubt hit the MY03 values more thah the MY02. Again, my opinion, and maybe slightly biased as I have the MY02 STI PPP. I have had this since new so have had plenty of experience with the car when it had no PPP (had to wait 9 months for Prodrive to get it out of the factory!!).

And with a few pounds spent on wheels and additional lighting features on the MY02 STI, you could have one looking like this:



These standard STI bug eyes are pretty good lighting unit also. It not just about out well they look, they are very effective on the road..

Just my two pence worth...

Whichever car you get though, they are both great. Just make sure you get PPP'd one...

Simon

steve_g

Thanks for the feedback Simon.

I've been offered a '52 plate bugeye STi PPP with 18" Titanium OZ alloys, 25,000miles on the clock in Black Mica for £19,300

Do you think this sounds like a good deal?

chris singleton

Check the General For Sale forum, I think there's an 02 STI for about £16,9995.00, cant remember if it's got PPP though.

Chris

YorkshireSimon

Well if this helps, if I were to sell mine right now:

MY02 STI
PPP
WR Mud Flaps (Genuine Subaru Items)
Defi Gauges Tripple Centre Pod (EGT, Oil Temp, Boost)
19' OZ Wheels
Prodrive Hella FF1000 Lamp Kit and Covers
DBA 4000 Brake discs all round + Pagid Pads
STI Carbon Reflectors
29,000 miles
Lots of typical Subaru front end stone chips on bonnet and bumper

I would be looking for around 18 to 18.5k... Would be happy with 18.5k!!

If the car you are looking at is immaculate, and I mean totally mint paint wise at the front end, I reckon this 19.3k is not far off the mark, bearing in mind the PPP and the wheels. Surely you could get he/she down to 19k for the sale tho....

Cheers
Simon